Kellie Stacy: Evolution of a national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples aged 16-29 years: The GOANNA Survey

Seminar Overview

The GOANNA Survey examines patterns of sexual heath knowledge, behaviours and access to health services related to sexually transmissible infections and blood borne viruses among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 16-29 years. The survey was established to help inform policy and programs in these priority areas.   

Starting as a pilot survey in 2007, then being rolled out nationally in 2011, the GOANNA Survey is now established as the largest national survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, periodically collecting information on sexual health, knowledge and behaviours, alcohol and drug use. Key to its success is Aboriginal leadership, collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and the involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as peer-survey collectors which offers the opportunity to strengthen knowledge, sovereignty and self-determination within communities. Survey reports have been widely disseminated to health services, government and NGOs working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, ensuring policies, services and programs are evidence-based.  Findings challenge negative stereotypes and stigma that hamper STI control efforts. 

This presentation will discuss the 14-year evolution of GOANNA Survey, now in its third iteration, (beyond the initial pilot study)  and describe how its periodic cross-sectional design with convenience sampling approach has maintained consistency for assessment of trends over time, while community consultation on questionnaire content and tailoring of the methodology has allowed it to remain relevant, culturally acceptable and feasible for implementation.

Speakers

Kellie Stacy is a proud Wiradjuri woman from central New South Wales and is employed at the UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health as a Principal Research Technician, working on the GOANNA-3 Survey. Kellie has worked in the community sector for over 11 years, most recently for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation and is a member of the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence Community Jury.